An employer who receives a citation for a serious Cal/OSHA violation can be assessed a penalty of up to how much per violation?

• A. $1,000
• B. $5,000
• C. $10,000
• D. $25,000

Answer: (D)

Cal/OSHA penalties are structured by the severity of the violation. For a serious violation, which means there’s a hazardous condition that could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm, the penalty that can be assessed for each distinct citation is capped at a substantial amount. That per-violation cap recognizes the seriousness of the potential harm and applies to each separate hazard identified in a citation. While there are higher penalties for willful or repeated violations, and penalties can accrue for continuing violations, the limit you’re being tested on here—the per-violation maximum for a serious violation—is $25,000.